Thursday, February 7, 2008

Happy First Anniversary --- JMB's Blog

One year ago today, I burst onto the blogging world. Well actually, as I described it myself, I ventured out, putting my toe in the shallow end. What an adventure it has been. I have mastered an incredible number of technical skills, thanks to a lot of research but also thanks to the kindness of many who have helped me in the spirit of sharing. I've come a really long way down that road I'm glad to say.

I've learned a lot about my camera and although I still don't have "the eye" my photos are a lot better than they were. I also muck about with them a bit before I post them, so that's been quite the bonus, learning those skills. I have developed from no image posts to some with images from the web to the fact that now, by far the majority of the images on the blog are photos I've taken myself. Saturday Photo Hunt is great fun and has helped me tremendously to learn more about photography.

But by far the most positive thing to come out of this blog has been the online friendships I've developed over this past year. Four people came out of nowhere to comment on my first post and I'm still in contact with these people. I've developed many online friendships from this blog, some more casual than others but I think that has been the biggest bonus of all. What is so amazing is the variety of ages and nationalities and different interests that I have encountered in these friendships and it illustrates what a global village we are today. I think this is what makes blogging so valuable. It breaks down the normal barriers that separate us so that we find out how much we have in common with each other, how much people are the same, no matter where they live. Only good can come of that.

Now blogging is very hard work, if it's done correctly. It's not only writing your own blog to the best of your ability, but it's visiting other blogs and interacting with those bloggers with your comments and exchanges. In that spirit I joined a small group of bloggers at Blogpower doing just that during the past year and that's been quite the experience.

Blogging takes a lot of time and effort and many things in my life have suffered this past year. Reading has been one of them and it seems that I only read a book a week or every ten days now whereas I read a book every couple of days before, sometimes one in a day. I've only made a couple of small quilts this past year instead of the usual number and my house is a total disaster.

Lots of times along the way, I've been tempted to quit. I don't really have anything to say. I often wonder what the heck I am doing here. Sometimes I can't think of a thing to post and am ready to call it a day. But somewhere along the way, as it got closer to the time, I said I've got to do this for a full year at least. But somehow I doubt there will be a second anniversary for this blog. Nobody Important is the perfect title. This age challenged lady is playing at having a blog and nattering on about places I've been, books I've read and as it says above, going wherever my fancy leads me. Well, you never know, maybe I'll still be here next year. Chissà? Who knows?

Now a little word about stats. Yes, I check my stats obsessively, just like everyone else. Yes I know that more than 80 per cent of the visitors are google searches for one thing or another. Yes, maybe around twenty five visitors each day are return visitors. But a couple of times I've had huge daily numbers, as when I hosted the Advent edition of the Blogpower round-up. Sadly, I set a new record this week. The first time for over 200 visitors on one day to this blog. All because visitors from Brainhell's comment section came to read my tribute to him. For one day many of his loyal readers came to my site.

But I do want to thank the people who come regularly or intermittently to read this blog and comment, or not. Every one of you is precious to me and you have made this year very special. My family and friends all think I'm crazy with this blogging thing but I know that each and every one of you understands the lure of it all.

So join me in a virtual toast on this, the first anniversary of blogging for jmb. Cin Cin!

Here's to JMB, Happy Blog Anniversary! I have enjoyed reading your blog since I arrived here, although I'm not sure exactly when that was. Your summary of your first year with a blog hit many chords with me. You put it all so well, as you always do in your posts. I'm pleased to have "met" you. Best regards, Carver

Congratulations and here's to you! *clink* I've enjoyed each and every one of your posts since I discovered you and truly hope you continue. You're an excellent writer with lots to say, so lets' hear it for another year to come! *hick* ;D

Happy Birthday to your blog. Your blog is interesting and the photographs are great too. I know blogging is hard work, keeping up with everyone else and coming up with something new can be a challenge.I have you on my reader so even though I might not pop over and comment you are right there just about every day.

Hi Eurodog,Thank you, Santé.Hi Matt S,Thanks for the good wishesHi Sarabeth,Thank you and thanks for being here after a year, one of my first four commenters.Hi Jams,Thank you, we'll have to see about more of course. Hi Sean,I am happy to share any kind of anniversary with Charles Dickens, a very serious wordsmith indeed.Hi Sally,Thanks for the good wishes and I appreciate you lurking. Photo Hunt is fun, not always easy but fun.Hi Ramona,Thank you. Maybe one more? ChissàHi Ian,I hope we do raise a glass together one day, teetolalers that we are. I'm glad Janice is well, give her my regards when you see her again.Hi Rositta,Thanks for the good wishes and the visiting. The photos are getting better, still a long way to go.Hi Carver,Thanks and it has been very special to meet and interact with you. Hi LGS,Thank you. An institution? Well I do have the years for that.Hi Leslie,Thank you, are you sure you weren't imbibing before you got here? So far I'm still going.Hi Crushed,Mad indeed, me more so than you. At least you have something to say. You are a serious blogoholic.Hi Calum,Thank you and I'm very happy to visit you. Hi Grendel,Thanks and let's see if I can keep it going another year.Hi WCLC,Thanks and are you going to be a nag? If I get stuck, I'll get you to do a guest post.Hi Vic, formerly Vic Grace,Thank you and I'm glad you appreciate the difficulties of blogging. I too have you on the reader and so don't always click over but read everything you post too.

Thanks to all of you for your best wishes and comments. I am truly grateful to you all, my blog friends.

Cin cin!! Many congratulations to you, and I'm so glad you blog.Everything I have read of yours has been interesting and thought provoking, the insights welcome and the pictures delightful!Thanks JMB, for being out there for all to enjoy!

JMB, I can't believe you say, you have nothing to say. Look at the volume of comments you get! You have a great blog. I've also been honored to have had the exchanges we have elsewhere. You have been a comfort to me at times, and I'm sure you aren't even aware of that. I hope you keep writing and sharing.

I've got hundreds of photos suitable for looting as illustrated blogfodder but unfortunately they all have a physical presence. However, I've ordered myself a photo scanner from ebay (that does negs and slides as well) so I see myself slowly digitising the back-catalogue.

Hi Merry Laundress,Thank you. It's funny how you run across the same people in this huge mess of blogs.Hi Ellee, Thanks to you too, you are an old hand at this blogging business.Hi Julie,That's very nice of you to say so. ThanksHi Ian, One of my first commenters, I can't believe it's one year later. Thanks for the good wishes and the post.Hi NapaboaniyaThanks for this and for straying away from photo hunt to say it.Hi PU,You are always welcome to come comment and thanks for the good wishesHi Tai,Thanks for the kind words. I do appreciate them.Hi Mar,another photo hunter straying off the path. Thanks for the good wishes.Hi MSW,I'm not sure how we found each other, medblogs I guess. Thanks for the good wishes and the faithful visiting.Hi Donnetta Lee,Thanks for the wishes and your visits.Hi Rositta,I'll do the meme next week for sure.Hi Angel,You are too kind. I have enjoyed our exchanges elsewhere and I enjoy your thoughtful blog.Hi Pearl,Thanks for straying off the photo hunt to leave your good wishes.Hi Shades,Thanks, only a year, only she says. I have lots of photos too and a scanner which I love but I am not getting everything onto disc by any means.Hi James,Thanks for the good wishes and they are appreciated, trust me.

Thanks to all of you for visiting and commenting on this anniversary post.regardsjmb